The Russellville Police Department investigated a vandalism incident at the historic building housing the store this week.

Public information officer Drew Latch said the department determined the graffiti was the work of pranksters and was not gang-related.

“It appears to be probably juveniles, and it also appears that they climbed on top of the building in order to do the graffiti,” Latch said.

Damage is estimated to be between $400 to $1,000, he said, depending on whether store owners decide to clean the area or paint over it. The damage estimate means this act is categorized as a misdemeanor criminal mischief, though Latch said some acts of graffiti can draw felony charges.

This is the only incident of graffiti in the downtown area in recent months, according to Latch, who also said there is not a major issue with graffiti within the city.

No arrests have been made in the incident, and the investigation is ongoing. Latch said some spray paint cans were located in the area.

Graffiti "artists" you wrote. I think graffiti "vandals" is more appropriate terminology. Graffiti is by definition unwanted and uninvited. Graffiti is done by vandals who seek the visibility for themselves among their peers as well as the thrill of getting their graffiti up without being caught. As described at www.DefacingAmerica.com , graffiti is not about art and we don't have an art problem in our communities. We have a vandalism problem.